Croplife shapes new breed of influencers in Mountain Province workshop
CropLife Philippines (CLP) recently conducted a stewardship program on the responsible use of crop protection products at the Mt. Data High School, Bauko in Mountain Province. The workshop was attended by 40 Grade 9 and 10 students who are taking up Agriculture Technical subjects, 80 farmer parents, 33 teachers and staff as well as personnel from the FPA and participants from the barangay.
Using different methods, the CropLife team underscored the importance of properly handling chemicals when using them to protect crops from pests. The team demonstrated the right way of preparing, spraying and cleaning and introduced the triple rinse approach for containers. The proper storing of the chemicals was also discussed by experts.
“We initiated this workshop on the responsible use of crop protection products because we wanted to underscore the dangers of misusing these products which could cause harm to both the crops and the farmers. We have received many reports that farmers do not follow the labels and do away with using goggles and gloves, thinking they are just an additional burden. They do not understand that that this compromises their safety,” CropLife Philippines Executive Director Edilberto de Luna said.
He further stressed that they are starting these workshops with students and future agriculture workers so that they will share the knowledge with their parents and relatives. De Luna said CLP wanted the students to become influencers who will start their careers with the right tools and the proper orientation to become successful practitioners in the future.